Refrigeration machine including evaporator condenser structure



M .K 9 m m C 7 TL A. NL Pw 9 w E E n WW n Q. A. T 3 E m S m n N; R 0 0 P QJ A ,X L m MM MES Rzm Ewwl um?, EMT,N |5- WHMRW .IEN Aas .umd PMWM www. H A H E G I R F E R Jan. 18, 1966 QrroeNss/S United States Patent O REFRGERATHON MACHNE WCLUDXNG EVAP- RATR CGNDENSER STRUCTURE Peter Anthony Vifelier, Farmington, Mich., assigner to American Radiator de Standard Sanitary Corporation,

New York, N Y., a corporation ot Delaware Filed Nov. 29, i963, Ser. No. 326,954 6 Claims. (Cl. 62-5tl6) The present invention relates to refrigeration machines, and more particularly to refrigeration machines of the tube-shell type wherein the evaporator and condenser are constructed as relatively large elongated shell structures with heat transfer tubes extending therethrough.

This invention is a modification of the construction shown in copending application Serial Number 53,747 tiled September 2, i960, now Patent No. 3,118,290.

Conventional refrigeration machines similar to the present type have been Constructed with the evaporator and condenser as separate units. A compressor, usually supplied as a separate unit, is provided in such refrigeration machines to receive refrigerant vapor exhausted from the evaporator and restore the energy level thereof before discharging to the condenser. Such conventional apparatus requires considerable floor space and has a relatively high installation cost. The fabrication costs of conventional apparatus are also relatively high, requiring extensive piping and refrigerant conduit mechanisms. The conduit mechanisms in such conventional apparatus in many cases reduce the efficiency of the entire system.

The present invention provides a solution for this problem by integrating the compressor, the evaporator and condenser into one unit. The evaporator and condenser are provided in a single shell, the evaporator compartment and the condenser compartment being defined by a hollow partition within the shell. The partition of the present invention is constructed to provide an excellent thermal insulator between the evaporator compartment and the condenser compartment.

lt is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved refrigeration machine wherein the condenser and evaporator compartments are disposed closely adjacent to one another in a single shell structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a partition within the shell structure, the partition defining the evaporator and condenser compartments.

A further object of the invention is to provide a partition within the shell which is a good thermal insulator.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a shell structure in which the evaporator compartment is above the condenser compartment, and wherein the partition is in fluid communication with the condenser compartrnent.

Another object of the invention is to provide a partition structure extending longitudinally and horizontally within the shell, the partition including an upper plate which sealiugly engages the interior surfaces of the shell to provide a fluid-tight seal between the condenser and evaporator compartments, and also including a lower plate which is positioned beneath the upper plate and which has opening means for the passage of vas thereby into the space defined by the upper and lower plates.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

in the drawings:

FGURE l is a side elevational view in section of the refrigeration machine in accordance with one ernbodiment of the present invention; and

FIGURE 2 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 2 2 of FIGURE l looking in the direction of the arrows.

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown a refrigeration machine 10 which includes an elongated shell structure l2 having its longitudinal axis horizontally disposed. The shell structure l2 is divided into an upper compartment if-i and a lower compartment lo by a longitudinally and horizontally extending partition structure i8. The partition i8 will hereinafter be more fully described with reference to thermal insulation of the compartments lli, i64

The upper compartment ld is the evaporator section and the lower compartment lo is the condenser section. Each compartment has disposed therein a series of heat transfer tubes 2i), ZZ. The tubes extend longitudinally through the shell and serve to conduct a fluid, such as water, between the two boxes 221i, 26 provided at the longitudinal ends of the shell l2. Each box has a partition 2S, 36 which denes separate chambers 32, 34- and 36, 33 for, respectively, the tubes 20 and tubes 22. Suitable conduits (not shown) are connected to the boxes to permit circulation of heat transfer huid through the tubes Ztl, 22. The iluid liowing through the tubes 26 is cooled by refrigerant within the evaporator compartment lll, the cooling action causing vaporization of the refrigerant. Fluid flowing through the tubes 22 extracts heat from compressed refrigerant gases in the condenser compartment 16, causing condensing of the gas into liquid refrigerant.

A compressor lll is mounted atop the shell l2. The specific compressor illustrated includes a scroll-like casing structure 42 having a tubular inlet fitting 4d. An elbowshaped duct 46 extends from the inlet litting la into communication with the interior of the evaporator compartment le. Vaporized refrigerant is drawn from the cornpartment 14 through the duct 5.16 and into the compressor d0. The compressor is driven by an electric motor 4S which is also mounted atop the shell l2. The compressor scroll 42 has a discharge duct Si? which extends downwardly and into communication with the condenser compartment 16. Compressed gaseous refrigerant is fed rom the compressor itl through the duct 5t) and into the condenser compartment lo where it is cooled by the fluid passing through the tubes 22 and condensed. The condensed refrigerant collects in the lower portion of the condenser compartment lo and flows into the collector 52. The liquid level in collector S2 is maintained at a satisfactory value by means of the valve 54 and connected float 56. The valve 54 opens and closes the lower end of a conduit S8, The conduit 58 extends upwardly through the condenser compartment lo and baille lit into connection with a laterally extending cross conduit 6l) which is positioned above the tubes 2) in the evaporator compartment 14. The conduit 60 connects at each end with one of a pair of elongated horizontal conduits 62, o4. The conduits 62, 64 extend lengthwise of the evaporator compartment 14. The conduits 62, 64 are provided with spaced apart nozzles 66 from which liquid refrigerant is sprayed downwardly onto the evaporator tubes 2i). The refrigerant sprayed upon the tubes Ztl cools the lluid flowing through these tubes to thus result in the desired refrigeration function.

Referring again to the partition 18, it will be noted that the partition includes a generally flat upper plate 68. The lateral edges 70, 72 of the plate 68 extend exteriorly of the shell 12. The shell 12 is formed of an upper semicylindrical portion 74 and a lower semi-cylindrical portion 76, the longitudinal edges of which are secured to the upper and lower surfaces of the plate 68 as by continuous welding. Circular end walls 78, 80 are secured to the end edges of the semicylindrical portions 74, 76 and plate 68 to complete the shell structure. It will thus be appreciated that the plate 68 forms a fluid-tight shield between the evaporator campartment 14 and the condenser compartment 16.

A lower plate 82 is secured to the underside of the upper plate 68 to complete the partition structure. The plate 82 comprises a generally flat portion 84 having upturned side edges 86, 88 to form a tray-like configuration. The lower plate 82 is secured to the upper plate 68 by spot welding as at 90. Several welds 98 are provided along the edges 86, 88. However, the edges 86, 88 do not form a fluid-tight seal with the plate 68. A small space, indicated at 92 in FIGURE 2, exists between the welds 90. The space 92 is shown enlarged for the purpose of clarity. Fluid communication is thus provided between the condenser compartment 16 and the cavity 94 defined by the spaced apart partition plates 68, 82. A few openings 96 are provided in the portion 84 of plate 82 to permit drainage from the interior of the partition 18 and to permit breathing of gases within the cavity 94.

The operation of the partition 18 will now be explained. The upper surface of the upper plate 68 is in heat exchange relationship with the relatively cold refrigerant within the evaporator compartment 14. The plate 68 thus has a relatively low temperature. The lower plate 82 is in heat exchange relationship with the relatively hot gases within the condenser compartment 16. The plate 82 thus has, with respect to the plate 68, a relatively high temperature.

When compressed refrigerant gases enter the condenser compartment 16, a portion thereof will flow upwardly and pass through the spaces 92 between the upper and lower plates 68, 82 and into the cavity 94. The refrigerant gases within the cavity 94 will contact the upper plate 68 and condense. Condensing of refrigerant gases within the cavity 94 creates a partial vacuum therein. As will be appreciated, there is always some air entrained within the refrigerant gases. Air is lighter than refrigerant gases and tends to rise above the refrigerant gases. After a partial vacuum has been created within the cavity 94, air, being lighter than refrigerant gases, will be drawn into the cavity 94. The cavity 94 is thus eventually substantially filled with air. Air is non-condensible and the process of condensation resulting from the low temperature of the plate 68 is thus effectively halted. Small amounts of refrigerant which may condense will collect on the lower plate 82 and drain through the opening 96 into the condenser compartment 16.

In addition to stopping the condensation of refrigerant gases, the air which is entrapped within the cavity 94 also acts as an effective insulating medium between the plates 68, 82. As a result, the heat transfer rate between the evaporator compartment 14 and condenser compartment 16 is reduced to a very 10W value.

As will be appreciated, there is considerable turbulence within the evaporator compartment 14 and condenser compartment 16 caused by the movement of refrigerant gases therethrough. However, the cavity 94 is a quiescent zone. Therefore, the air which is entrapped therein will remain in place and not be replaced by condensible refrigerant gases which would otherwise sweep across the lower surface of the upper plate 68 and be condensed thereby.

It will be appreciated that direct heat transfer from the lower plate 82 to the upper plate 68 is minimal because these plates are secured together at only a few spaced apart points by the spot welds 90.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a refrigeration machine, a horizontally disposed elongated hollow shell, a longitudinally extending hollow partition sub-dividing said shell into a separate and distinct upper refrigerant evaporator compartment and a lower refrigerant condenser compartment, said hollow partition being a substantially horizontal plane, said partition having opening means on the lower portion thereof providing fluid communication only between the partition interior and the condenser compartment, said evaporator and condenser compartments each having portions defined by said shell, and heat transfer tubes extending in said evaporator and condenser compartments for conducting a heat transfer fluid therethrough, means placing said heat transfer tubes in heat-exchange relation with fiuid to be cooled by the evaporator compartment and cool the condenser compartment, means for injecting liquid refrigerant into the evaporator compartment, means for receiving vaporized refrigerant from the evaporator compartment, and means for delivering compressed gaseous refrigerant into the condenser compartment.

2. In a refrigeration machine, a hollow shell, a first plate within the shell dividing the shell into separate and distinct sealed-apart upper and lower compartments, said tirst plate being in substantially a horizontal plane, the upper compartment being a refrigerant evaporator compartment and the lower compartment being a refrigerant condenser compartment, a second plate spaced beneath the first plate, said first and second plates defining a cavity, said second plate having opening means thereby providing fluid communication only between said cavity and the condenser compartment for the passage of gas from the condenser compartment into the cavity, heat transfer tubes in said compartments to conduct heat transfer fluid therethrough, means placing said transfer tubes in heat-exchange relation with iiuid to be cooled by the evaporator compartment and cool the condenser compartment, means for introducing liquid refrigerant into the evaporator compartment, means for receiving vaporized refrigerant from the evaporator compartment, and means for delivering compressed gaseous refrigerant into the condenser compartment.

3. In a refrigeration machine, a hollow shell, a first plate within the shell in sealing engagement with the shell walls dividing said shell into separate and distinct upper and lower sealed-apart compartments, said first plate being in substantially a horizontal plane, the upper compartment being a refrigerant evaporator compartment and the lower compartment being a refrigerant condenser cornpartment, a second plate within the shell beneath the first plate, said second plate having a generally planar portion with upturned edges, said upturned edges being secured to the undersurface of the first plate at spaced-apart points leaving gaps between said edges and the undersurface of the first plate for the passage of gas from the condenser compartment into the space between the first and second plates, heat transfer tubes in said compartments to conduct heat transfer fluid therethrough, means placing said heat transfer tubes in heat-exchange relation with iiuid to be cooled by the evaporator compartment and cool the condenser compartment, means for introducing liquid refrigerant into the evaporator compartment, means for receiving vaporized refrigerant from the evaporator compartment, and means for delivering compressed gaseous refrigerant into the condenser compartment.

4. The refrigeration machine as claimed in claim 3 and further characterized in that the planar portion of the second plate has openings therein for drainage of liquid into the condenser compartment.

5. In refrigeration apparatus, an elongated hollow shell having the longitudinal axis thereof horizontally disposed, a hollow partition extending longitudinally and horizontally in said shell and sub-dividing said shell into separate and distinct sealed-apart upper and lower compartments, said hollow partition being in substantially a horizontal plane, the upper compartment being an evaporator compartment and the lower compartment being a condenser compartment, heat transfer tubes in said compartments to conduct heat transfer iiuid therethrough, means placing said heat transfer tubes in heat-exchange relation with fluid to be cooled by the evaporator compartment and cool the condenser compartment, means for introducing liquid refrigerant into the evaporator compartment, means for receiving vaporized refrigerant from the evaporator compartment, and means for delivering compressed gaseous refrigerant having air entrained therein into the condenser compartment, said partition having opening means communicating between the interior thereof and the condenser compartment for the reception of air from the condenser compartment into the partition interior to provide insulation against the ow of heat between said compartments.

6. In refrigeration apparatus, a hollow shell, a hollow partition having an upper wall and a lower wall, each eX- tending longitudinally and horizontally in said shell and sub-dividing said shell into sealed-apart upper and lower compartments, the upper compartment being an evaporator compartment and the lower compartment being a condenser compartment, heat transfer tubes in said com partments to conduct heat transfer fluid therethrough, means placing said heat transfer tubes in heat-exchange relation with fluid to be cooled by the evaporator compartment and cool the condenser compartment, a refrigeration compressor having an outlet connected to said condenser compartment and an inlet connected to said evaporator compartment for receiving vaporized refrigerant from the evaporator compartment and delivering compressed gaseous refrigerant having air entrained therein into the condenser compartment, said partition having opening means providing communication between the interior thereof and the condenser compartment for the reception of air from the condenser compartment into the hollow interior of the partition to prevent contact of refrigerant gases within the condenser compartment with the upper partition wall and to provide insulation against the flow of heat between said compartments.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1929 Kuchev 62-469 4/1958 Garland 165--161 

1. IN A REFRIGERATION MACHINE, A HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED ELONGATED HOLLOW SHELL, A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING HOLLOW PARTITION SUB-DIVIDING SAID SHELL INTO A SEPARATE AND DISTINCT UPPER REFRIGERANT EVAPORATOR COMPARTMENT AND A LOWER REFRIGERANT CONDENSER COMPARTMENT, SAID HOLLOW PARTITION BEING A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL PLANE, SAID PARTITION HAVING OPENING MEANS ON THE LOWER PORTION THEREOF PROVIDING FLUID COMMUNICATION ONLY BETWEEN THE PARTITION INTERIOR AND THE CONDENSER COMPARTMENT, SAID EVAPORATOR AND CONDENSER COMPARTMENTS EACH HAVING PORTIONS DEFINED BY SAID SHELL, AND HEAT TRANSFER TUBES EXTENDING IN SAID EVAPORATOR AND CONDENSER COMPARTMENTS FOR CONDUCTING A 